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Gender: The Cultural Dimension Gender refer to the culturally and socially constructed differences between females and males found in the meanings. beliefs, and practices associated with “femininity- and “masculinity.” Although biological differences between women and men are very important. in reality most “sex differences” are socially constructed “gender differences.”According to sociologists, social and cultural processes. not biological “givens; are the most important factors…

Religion and Government Religion and government are interrelated in many ways. For example, political party support in the United States is associated with religious preference. In the 1982 Congressional elections, Democratic candidates were supported by 47 percent of the Protestant voters, by 60 percent of the Catholics, and by 75 percent of the Jews [Public Opinion, 5:36, December/january 1983]. No candidate for high elective…

Latent Functions Few people will object to the manifest functions of religion, but some of the latent functions of the churches bring consequences which often surprise even the faithful. At the same time, they may stimulate either approval or opposition from those who do not consider themselves very religious. Churches are a setting for sociability as well as worship. Church youth groups provide…

STRUCTURES OF RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS Each major religion affects society throuth the cultural ethos-the dominant values which it fosters, but it also affects society through the religious associations it stimulates. In many simple societies religion is institutionalized but unorganized. This is to the society has religious institutions-systems of belief and practice which are standardized.

Religion as a Dynamic Force The .view of religion as a sort of shadow institution which merely reflects the power and interests of the dominant classes’ was challenged by the German sociologist, Max Weber. Weber (1864-1930] examined the rise of capitalism and felt that it was favored by the attitudes stressed by ascetic Protestantism. Thus, rather than religion being without real influence,…

CULTURE AND’ HUMAN ADJUSTMENT Is culture a help or a burden to human belt Some of each. It helps them to solve some problems, gets in their way as they grapple with others, and itself creates still others Culture and Biological Adjustment Culture contains many gadgets which help people in their unremitting battle with nature. Since people suffer in cold…

THE STRUCTURE OF CULTURE A culture is not simply an accumulation of folkways and mores; it is an organized system of behavior. Let us see some of the ways in which culture is organized. Cultural Traits and Complexes The smallest unit of culture is called a trait. Phoebe’s definition [1949, p. 499) is: “A reputedly irreducible unit of learned behavior…

Laws While some mores function simply as mores there is a strong tendency for them to become incorporated into the laws of a society. Man people will obey mores automatically or become they want to ,do the “right” thing. PI. few people, however, are tempted to violate mores. These people may be forced to con form by the threat of legal…

Nonhuman Social Organization Many nonhuman species have an. orderly system of social life. Many bird species mate for a lifetime and (in contrast to humans) are absolutely loyal to their mates’. Many species of insects, such as ants and bees, have an elaborate pattern of social life, complete with specialized occupations, lines of authority, arid detailed distribution of duties and privileges The…